1216 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 717

180. Each County Supervisor of Assessments shall, in
addition to his other duties, act as chief assessor in his par-
ticular county, with such additional duties as the State Tax
Commission shall determine and designate. On or before
January first, 1944, each of the several Boards of County
Commissioners in this State shall appoint from among the
residents of the respective Counties such number of asses-
sors as may be found necessary to execute a continuing
method of assessment which number shall be fixed by the
County Commissioners, after consultation with the State
Tax Commission, but if the County Commissioners shall
find that in any County the work can be performed by the
Supervisor alone, then no assessors shall be appointed;
provided however, that in Harford County the two asses-
sors in office on the effective date of this Act shall constitute
the first assessors holding positions under the provisions
of this Act, without the necessity of examination or ap-
pointment. The annual salary of each assessor shall be
fixed by the County Commissioners, after consultation with
the State Tax Commission. No appointment shall be made,
however, except in the following manner:

The County Commissioners shall submit to the State Tax
Commission from the applicants for each position to be
. filled, a list of not less than three applicants for each po-
sition. The State Tax Commission shall interview, examine
and grade said applicants, in order to determine their
relative qualifications for the position or positions to be
filled, and shall certify the list of applicants and their
respective grades to the County Commissioners, who shall
appoint an assesser for each position from the said
list. Upon appointment, each assessor shall perform
his duties under the direction of the Supervisor of Assess-
ments, and shall hold his position during good behavior,
subject only to removal by the State Tax Commission, after
hearing, for incompetency or other cause. In the event of
the resignation, death or removal of any assessor, the va-
cancy shall be filled by the County Commissioners in the
manner hereinbefore set forth, within 60 days from the
date when the vacancy occurs. The annual salaries of the
County Assessors and all other expenses incident to local
assessment shall be levied for and paid monthly by the
several Boards of County Commissioners. Nothing herein
shall affect the powers and duties of the Bureau of Assess-
ments in Baltimore City, as prescribed by local law and
ordinance. Provided that in Washington County there shall
be two assessors, who shall be selected in conformity with
the provisions of this Section, except that one of such
assessors shall be affiliated with each of the major political
parties in the County, and such assessors shall each re-